Fmr Edo Gov. Obaseki Turns Down Assembly’s Invitation, Says It’s Offensive, Laughable

By Ayodele Oni

Former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has described as prejudiced, his invitation by the State House of Assembly and vowed not to appear.

The House of Assembly ad-hoc Committee probing the funding and ownership of two flagship projects from his administration, the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA) and the Radisson Blu Hotel had invited the former Governor to appear before it on Thursday.

Obaseki, through his media adviser, Crusoe Osagie, pointed out that the invitation is “offensive and laughable.”

In the statement, Obaseki argued that the matter is subjudice, already before the Courts, rendering the Assembly’s summons improper under legal principles.

“It is laughable for the Assembly to invite the former governor over a matter that is already in court,” Osagie said.

The Committee, chaired by Ade Isibor, was set up at the behest of incumbent Governor Monday Okpebholo to scrutinize the projects’ financial dealings.

“Why subject him to another round of questioning on the same issues? The Edo Assembly should learn how the law works,” Crusoe added

Obaseki, who left office in November 2024 after a contentious handover to Okpebholo, emphasized that he cannot be compelled to respond separately to overlapping inquiries.

The assembly’s letter, signed by committee secretary Bekisu Oshone Wilson, extended invitations to a broader roster of figures tied to the projects.

Among them are former Edo Finance Commissioner Joseph Eboigbe, ex-Attorney General Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, MOWAA Director Philip Iheanacho.

Executives from key private entities: Tilbury House Nigeria Limited’s Managing Director, Pramod Thorat of Hospitality Investment and Management Company (HIMC), Ugochukwu Anigbogu of Afrinvest Capital Limited, and leaders from Meristem Trustees Limited and Emerging Africa Trustees Ltd are also summoned by the assembly.

Their attendance is deemed “required” to illuminate the funding trails and ownership structures, particularly for the Radisson project, which has drawn ire for its stalled progress despite heavy public investment.